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How Change Happens

Advancing women’s human rights, building women’s leadership and investing in movement building are key levers of change. Every initiative, project and campaign undertaken is driven by the ultimate goal of creating a more just and sustainable world, for all.

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WEDO, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland and the GGCA, and with key support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland is launching its newest tool: The Gender Climate Tracker App.

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WHY WOMEN?

Achieving gender equality is about fundamental human rights.

Their work, leadership, and contributions positively impact social, economic and environmental progress. But we live in an unjust world where gender inequality remains pervasive and human rights, especially women’s human rights, are violated with impunity and effectively hold back women around the world. Despite a growing focus on gender at all levels, stark gender disparities remain, including unequal access to land, resources, opportunities and decision-making power.

WHY ENVIRONMENT?

The climate and environmental crises define our times.

As a global community, we continue to use more ecological resources and services than nature can regenerate through overfishing, overharvesting forests and emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than forests can sequester. People already living in poverty, those least responsible for climate change with the fewest resources to cope with climatic shocks, are bearing the brunt of its impacts, including women and girls. It is more clear than ever that climate change is both a symptom and driver of growing global inequality, greed and unsustainable development.

WHY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

Our challenge is to create a world where human rights and environmental integrity prosper.

The world’s population is projected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, with the highest concentration in the poorest countries, resulting in acute depletion of resources and conflict over scarce goods, exacerbated by the overconsumption in developed countries. How do we meet the development needs of the present, without compromising the needs of the future? To achieve sustainable development, we need action on three fronts: social, economic and environmental. Women are central to progress in each area because of their particular experiences and perspectives.

WHAT'S THE LINK?

You cannot achieve sustainable development without gender equality and environmental justice.

At the heart of sustainable development is a respect for all rights as well as responsibilities to the earth and future generations. Climate change and environmental degradation are obstacles to sustainable development, magnifying existing and overlapping inequalities. In many countries, women are among the most vulnerable to climate change and environmental impacts, partly because they make up the larger share of the agricultural work force and tend to have access to fewer income-earning opportunities. However, women are not only on the frontlines of crisis, they are on the frontlines of change. They are central actors, with unique knowledge and solutions in moving towards sustainability.

WHY WEDO?

Women’s organizing is key – Women’s capacity to speak, innovate, and lead is a driver for sustainable change and is the reason why WEDO acts as a bridge builder. Through advocacy and action, WEDO connects and facilitates spaces for women’s organizations; governments; and intergovernmental organizations, including the United Nations to ensure that women’s human rights are at the heart of global and national policies. As trainers and movement builders, we deliver leadership development and technical advocacy skills to ensure that women are empowered as decision-makers. Together, our actions will amplify the voices of women, tackle unjust systems, and propel the change we embody.